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Thromboembolic events after high‐intensity training during cisplatin‐based chemotherapy for testicular cancer: Case reports and review of the literature
Author(s) -
Thorsen Lene,
Haugnes Hege S.,
Fosså Sophie D.,
Brydøy Marianne,
Tandstad Torgrim,
Wisløff Torbjørn,
Gjerset Gunhild M.,
Edvardsen Elisabeth,
Larsen KarlOtto,
Sandset Per Morten,
Henriksson Carola E.,
Raastad Truls,
Negaard Helene F. S.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.33151
Subject(s) - medicine , randomized controlled trial , interval training , cardiorespiratory fitness , myocardial infarction , high intensity interval training , aerobic exercise , cancer , pulmonary embolism , physical therapy
The randomized “Testicular cancer and Aerobic and Strength Training trial” (TAST‐trial) aimed to evaluate the effect of high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) on cardiorespiratory fitness during cisplatin‐based chemotherapy (CBCT) for testicular cancer (TC). Here, we report on an unexpected high number of thromboembolic (TE) events among patients randomized to the intervention arm, and on a review of the literature on TE events in TC patients undergoing CBCT. Patients aged 18 to 60 years with a diagnosis of metastatic germ cell TC, planned for 3 to 4 CBCT cycles, were randomized to a 9 to 12 weeks exercise intervention, or to a single lifestyle counseling session. The exercise intervention included two weekly HIIT sessions, each with 2 to 4 intervals of 2 to 4 minutes at 85% to 95% of peak heart rate. The study was prematurely discontinued after inclusion of 19 of the planned 94 patients, with nine patients randomized to the intervention arm and 10 to the control arm. Three patients in the intervention arm developed TE complications; two with pulmonary embolism and one with myocardial infarction. All three patients had clinical stage IIA TC. No TE complications were observed among patients in the control arm. Our observations indicate that high‐intensity aerobic training during CBCT might increase the risk of TE events in TC patients, leading to premature closure of the TAST‐trial.